Detective Branch (DB) of police have arrested a union parishad (UP) chairman for embezzling around 41 tons of relief rice allotted for helping destitute women.
Police arrested Zarzid Molla, the chairman of Piroli union in Narail, on Friday morning from his house in Khararia village.
Narail Superintendent of Police Md Jasim Uddin confirmed the matter.
Zarzid has misappropriated a total of 40 tons and 800 kilograms of rice since January of 2019 till April 2020. He embezzled 2550 kilograms of rice every month.
This rice was allocated for Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) under the government’s social safety net program meant to help the people in dire need.
On April 21, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against him. He was temporarily suspended on April 23.
There were already several cases filed against Zarzid for beating up journalists and government officials, multiple murders, gambling, narcotics use, and illegally evicting homes.
The locals expressed their joy after the arrest.
According to some of them, Zarzid remained intoxicated and gambled all the time. People could not speak up against him fearing punishment from his cohorts.
Seeking anonymity, a local representative said the arrested chairman’s band of criminals are still at large and he will resume his illegal activities as soon as he is set free after a few days.